Student Finance Case Study – Martin Sheers
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name: Martin Sheers
Age: 24
Gender: Male
College: Anglia Ruskin University
Course: BA Hons Communication Studies
Town: Grew up in Colchester, Essex
Region: East Anglia
Parental income: Under £17,500
Started: September 2006
Martin went through the Clearing process last year as he’d missed the UCAS official application deadline by just a few days. His ambition was to start a career in the media and he felt going to university would be the best way to help him achieve this.
Martin said: “I saw Clearing as a great chance to get onto a university course that would give me a springboard onto my chosen career and not leave me trying to carve out a career the hard way. I was very nervous that I wouldn’t get a place, but it all worked out and I’m really enjoying my course now.”
Martin applied for student finance as soon as his place at university was confirmed. He took out a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the full cost of his tuition fees, as well as a Student Loan for Maintenance to help with rent and food costs. As Martin is from a low income family, he received the full Maintenance Grant of £2,700 in his first year of study (06/07), which is non-repayable. He also received a bursary of £300 from his university, which does not have to be repaid.
Martin says, “I was initially concerned about the cost of going to university, but as soon as I found out how much help I would receive it really put my mind at rest. The loans don’t have to be repaid until I’ve left my course, am in work and earning over £15,000 and the Maintenance Grant and Bursary don’t have to be repaid at all.”
Martin has reapplied for the financial package for his second year of study which he will be starting this September.
